The music and spirit of late singer Amy Winehouse was remembered this week at MTV’s Video Music Awards.
Actor Russel Brand, husband to Katy Perry, had been a close and personal friend of the “Back to Black” singer. Brand led the solemn eulogies, taking a moment to urge those with dependency problems to seek help. Brand has suffered from addictions in the past and he took a moment to remind everyone watching that help is always available.
Bruno Mars was another performer to pay tribute to Winehouse, as he covered her song “Valerie.”
“We’ll miss you, baby,” he said at the end of the song.
Tony Bennett also made some time to honor the late singer on stage. Together, Bennett and Winehouse had recorded a duet just weeks before her death. The single, along with the accompanying music video, are set to be released on September 14, which would have been Winehouse’s 28th birthday.
Lightening the mood, however, was pop star Beyonce, who was seen throughout the evening cradling her stomach. At the end of her stage performance, she opened up her jacket to reveal a baby bump.
“I’m happy to say it’s true,” she said.
Any Winehouse was found dead last month in her apartment. Although rumors ran rampant that she had died of an illegal drug overdose, toxicology reports later revealed that there were no illegal substances in the “Rehab” singer’s system, but alcohol was however, present.
